[GRLUG] Used/Cheap monitor with HDMI?

[Robar Philip]

On Oct 27, 2012, at 12:29 PM, megadave <megadave at gmail.com> wrote:

> Yeah, I've tried that.. I know it is *supposed* to work, but it didn't.
> 
> I had just such an adapter, and got nothing. I took it back to Best
> Buy, tested it with a brand new monitor that had a DVI input.
> 
> Nothing.  Yes, the monitor was DVI-D.

I did a search on “raspberry pi hdmi not working” and found lots of useful discussions. One problem in particular has to do with inexpensive HDMI cables that don’t have proper ground wires. They work with most computers, TVs and monitors, but not the RPi. Several people reported success with HDMI to DVI cables.

Goodwill sells 15-17” LCD monitors for $15. Most are VGA only, but I’ve purchased a couple that had DVI. I don’t know about the Grand Rapids area, but I’ve had the most success finding them in the better off neighborhoods of the Chicago suburbs. Unfortunately most computer stores that sell used/refurbished monitors want $40 to $90, but that probably gets you some type of guarantee beyond returning it if it’s DOA. Other than that Craig’s List is an obvious place to look.

HDMI to VGA convertors start at around $30.


Phil